Rescued bear brothers move to new enclosure
Two brown bear brothers rescued from a cage near a restaurant in Azerbaijan and brought to the Isle of Wight have finally got to explore their new home.
Benji and Balu arrived at Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in Sandown on 4 June.
Public donations went towards the almost £218,000 raised for their transport and a brand new enclosure for the pair.
The brothers have been kept in a holding pen while they settled on the island but were released on Friday into a new 3,500sqm space in-keeping with their natural environment.
About two years ago, they were relocated by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan from a restaurant, where they had been kept to attract customers, to a temporary shelter.
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary started fundraising to rehome the bears having become aware of their situation in May 2024.
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Bear brothers kept in cage arrive at sanctuary
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